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Struggling Pitchers Set to Clash When Phillies Visit Giants
The Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants are both on a hot streak lately, and Monday’s matchup will see two pitchers looking to bounce back. Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-0, 5.06 ERA) and Giants lefty Blake Snell (0-3, 11.40 ERA) will take the mound in San Francisco.
Recent Team Performance
The Phillies have been on fire, sweeping the Giants in a four-game series in Philadelphia earlier this month and maintaining their momentum with a 13-5 record since. Bryce Harper has been a standout, hitting .333 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs in May. Against the Giants, he was particularly lethal, going 5-for-12 with two homers and six RBIs.
The Giants have also been impressive, going 12-6 since their sweep by the Phillies. They wrapped up a six-game road trip with a narrow 4-3 loss to the New York Mets on Sunday, finishing the trip with a solid 4-2 record.
Pitching Matchup
Taijuan Walker will be on the mound for the Phillies. Despite some struggles, he’s managed to stay unbeaten in five starts this season. Walker has given up five runs, 10 hits, and six walks in his last two outings. He pitched against the Giants earlier this month, allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings. In his career, Walker is 4-3 with a 4.39 ERA in 10 starts against San Francisco.
Blake Snell, meanwhile, has had a rough start to the season. After returning from a strained left adductor, he allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings against Pittsburgh last Wednesday. Snell has yet to record a quality start this season, with his opponents scoring a total of 39 runs in his four starts. The 2023 National League Cy Young Award winner has a 0-3 record with a 3.86 ERA in five career starts against the Phillies.
Key Players
Bryce Harper is making a strong case for National League Player of the Month with his scorching performance in May. His efforts have been crucial for the Phillies, who are driven by last season’s near miss in the World Series. “It was right on our fingertips last year. We had it,” Walker said. “There’s definitely a chip on our shoulders. You talk about the best start in franchise history, but if you don’t win the World Series, it’s all for nothing.”
For the Giants, catcher Patrick Bailey has come back strong from a concussion, going 7-for-19 with seven RBIs on their recent trip. His presence will be key as San Francisco looks to keep their winning ways.
Injury and Personal Updates
Blake Snell’s availability might be in question as he awaits the birth of his first child. Giants manager Bob Melvin noted, “The good thing is he’s still with her and she’s there in San Francisco. We’ll see what happens.”
Conclusion
As the Phillies and Giants prepare to clash, all eyes will be on whether Walker and Snell can overcome their struggles and step up for their teams. With both teams in strong form and key players like Harper and Bailey performing at high levels, this game promises to be an exciting contest for baseball fans.
